I. In gen., to be very or more able, to have distinguished power or influence; to have greater power or worth; to be superior or distinguished, have the superiority, prevail (not ante-Aug.; cf.: “praesto, excello, praecedo): virtute semper praevalet sapientia,” wisdom prevails over, has more power than bravery, Phaedr. 1, 13, 14: “qui praevalet arcu,” is a distinguished archer, Stat. Achill. 2, 122: “vulturum praevalent nigri,” rank first, Plin. 10, 6, 7, § 19: “aranei cum praevaluere (supra apes),” id. 11, 19, 21, § 65: “in Aegypto hic mos praevalet,” prevails, id. 17, 22, 35, § 185: “ita saepius digni, quam gratiosi, praevalebant,” had the advantage, Plin. Ep. 3, 20, 6: “quae sententia non praevaluit modo,” id. ib. 2, 11, 6: “certamen acerrimum, amita potius an mater apud Neronem praevaleret,” had the most influence, Tac. A. 12, 64: “auctoritate et praesentiā,” to prevail, to get the upper hand, Suet. Galb. 19: “gratiā,” id. Ner. 28: “auctoritas Cluvii praevaluit, ut, etc.,” prevailed, Tac. H. 2, 65: “tuum erit consultare, utrum praevaleat, quod ex Arminio concepit, an quod ex me genita est,” which should have more weight, id. A. 1, 58; Dig. 1, 5, 10.— With inf.: “praevaluit ire,” Vulg. 1 Par. 21, 30.—With contra, Vulg. Gen. 32, 28.—With dat. (late Lat.): “quae (mala) etiam praevalent bonis,” Lact. Epit. 68, 21: portis inferi et mortis legibus praevalere, Leo M. p. 51, 1 fin.—
II. In partic., of medicines, to be of great virtue or efficacy: “trifolium praevalet contra serpentium ictus,” Plin. 21, 21, 88, § 152: “lac praevalet ad vitia in facie sananda,” id. 28, 7, 21, § 75.—
B. In law, to be settled, established, Just. Inst. 1, 6, 3.— Hence, praevălens , entis, P. a., very strong, very powerful: “populus, Liv. praef.: praevalens corpore,” Vell. 2, 108, 2; Plin. 5, 24, 20, § 84.
